"An 'A' and an 'F'"

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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).  "An 'A' and an 'F'" October 23, 2013 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21 The Washington Cathedral in, where else, Washington, D.C., is a pretty impressive structure. It also happens to be one of the places I have not been asked to speak. Considering the theological position of the present dean, I doubt if an invitation will be coming soon. That's because there appears to be a great theological gulf between what the dean preaches and what I read in the Lord's Holy Word. Case in point: on October 6th, during his weekly message, the dean made some statements about homosexuality. That's no big deal. Today it seems everybody and his brother is making such declarations. Usually I don't share those comments with you. This time it's different. That's because, the dean has broken new ground. Listening to what he said, I give him an "A+" for creativity and an "F" for faithfulness. That's because the dean has said, "It is a sin to oppose homosexuality." That's right. He believes churches are sinning; pastors are sinning; you are sinning if you oppose homosexuality. Now the dean has a right, no matter how wrong he may be, to have his own opinion. But when he says such a thing from the pulpit and indicates his message is based on the Word or what the Lord wishes, he is out of line ... way out of line. He has joined the ranks of those who "call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness ... who are wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own sight." Please understand this devotion is not about homosexuality. It is about pastors, priests and preachers who wander far from God's path and substitute their "wisdom" for what God has told us. That is something the Lord doesn't like. He didn't like it when self-made prophets opposed His spokesmen; He didn't like it when critics undermined Moses, and He doesn't like it now. God's people and God's preachers have an obligation to condemn what the Lord condemns, to allow what the Lord allows, and remain silent where the Lord is silent. Following in the footsteps of the prophets and apostles, our job description has remained unchanged. Basing what we say on the Bible, we are to tell sinners they are wrong and invite them to the Savior who lived His life and died our death, so we might be forgiven and saved. That's it: very simple. Oh, here's one more simple thing: if you have a pastor, preacher or priest whose words and life are based on God's Word, please thank him. He's taking a stand which pleased God rather than man. It is a stand which can be lonely. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I pray in the words of Luther's hymn: "Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word; Curb those who fain by craft and sword would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son And set at naught all He hath done." In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries